On the evening of July 12, 2019, Madeline gathered with a group of her friends at her apartment in Manayunk. They planned to go to Mad River (RIP) to meet up with a friend from work, Brendan McLaughlin (not to be mistaken with Brendan O'Neil), and his group of friends. Brendan McLaughlin introduced her to Brendan O'Neil letting her know it was his birthday (it was not). For the rest of the night, Brendan and Madeline followed each other around Manayunk, laughing, dancing, and climbing stop signs along the way. The next day, Brendan asked Madeline on their very first date, and the rest is history.